Snow flurries this morning. It's always a bit of a shock to the system when the first white stuff of the season appears. Not that there was much, or that it's hanging around, but it was there for a few minutes this morning.

[Brrrr.]

Here's a story for Eva. She keeps telling me about the Segway scooters and suggesting that I should get one since I live in the city. I'm still not sold on the idea, but apparently the Pentagon is.

Pentagon Explores Using Segways in Battle

NEW YORK - It's called the Segway Human Transporter, but the Pentagon is drafting the two-wheeled scooter as part of a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops.

So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls — all without human control.

Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.

Come to think of it, driving in Philly is somewhat similar to battlefield conditions . . . maybe a Segway wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

We're getting together tonight for a much-needed evening of relaxation and refreshment with our friends from PMA. I think there will be around 20 of us and since Chip has already advised that he will not be attending, he will have the honor of being gossiped about viciously.

Quote du jour:

"Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid."